Day: May 22, 2013

A California company has introduced a device that allows you to activate, or deactivate, your handgun with your cell phone.

I’m still trying to figure out how to turn off the alarm on my Droid.

These type of devices – smart gun technology – have never really worked well.

Over the years, companies have tried to link smart guns to a special watch or ring, to render the firearm inoperative if the shooter wasn’t wearing the right jewelry.

The danger comes when lawmakers start thinking the technology is a good idea.

It’s better to have smart gun owners than smart guns.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — A high-tech startup is wading into the gun control debate with a cellphone controller that would allow gun owners to know when their weapon is being moved — and disable it remotely.

There’s no actual gun yet, but the technology from Yardarm Technologies LLC comes at a time when lawmakers around the U.S. are considering contentious smart gun laws that would require new guns to include high-tech devices that limit who can fire them.

The Yardarm system would add about $50 to the cost of a gun, and about $12 a year for the service.

The National Rifle Association says it is concerned about added costs and the reliability of smart guns in general. Officials at the organization said they weren’t familiar with Yardarm.

Lee’s note: This is a smart phone app I may actually use. Their site is up and running. The app will only work if people participate. Hurry up with the Droid version, Graham.

A NEW MOBILE TOOL COMBINING DIGITAL ACTIVISM WITH GUN RIGHTS

Helping Gun Owners Navigate In Today’s Political Culture

May 20, 2013 – Firearm ownership and gun control are intense social and political topics in the United States today, and individuals on both sides are looking for a way to support their rights and views and reward those businesses that agree with them. Fortunately mobile technology has changed how Americans interact with the social and political environment around them. In an age of activism, 2AFriendly’s mobile apps give every individual anytime, anywhere access to the most effective form of peaceful protest: a vote with their wallet.

According to Senator Diane Feinstein, “Banning guns addresses a fundamental right of all Americans to feel safe.” On the other hand, gun advocate John Lott says, “It is pretty obvious why we don’t put these signs up. As with many other gun laws, law-abiding citizens, not would-be criminals, would obey the sign. Instead of creating a safe zone for victims, it leaves victims defenseless and creates a safe zone for those intent on causing harm.” Though these are opposing views, the people on the street want the same thing: cut-and-dried information at all times.

Despite how Americans decry the labeling of groups, each one relies on labels to traverse the social and political landscape. There are more cellphones than there are people in the US, and digital information augments reality for everyone by providing instant access to location-based, digital labels. In some states, gun-free zones may even carry the weight of the law, and 2AFriendly makes it simple and easy to mark any business as a gun-free or pro-gun zone and share that information with the world.

According to Graham, the 2AFriendly spokesman, 2AFriendly has the best offering for gun owners. “We know that gun owners want to exercise their rights in a safe and legal manner.” Graham said. “They also want to support like-minded businesses. That’s at the core of why we’re here. Millions of gun owners with smartphones can make a real difference with 2AFriendly in their hand.”

Most gun owners are also strong proponents of property rights. Graham states that “If business owners do not want legal gun carriers on their property, having that information in one’s hand gives gun owners the ability to respect their wishes.”

2AFriendly offers a free iOS app that gives its users the ability to search for and rate businesses anywhere in the world as Friendly, Neutral, or Unfriendly. A premium app adds the ability to comment on the ratings. Because 2AFriendly relies on user ratings, each business rating is rewarded with points that can be used to enter prize drawings. An Android app will follow in the next few weeks.

2AFriendly.com was founded in 2013 to give gun rights activists powerful, mobile tools in the cause of liberty. More information about the apps and community can be found at 2afriendly.com

About the Gun Writer

Lee Williams — The Gun Writer — can’t remember a time in his life when he wasn’t shooting. Before becoming a journalist, Lee served in the Army and worked as a police officer. He’s earned a dozen national journalism awards as a reporter, and three medals of valor as a cop. He is an NRA-certified law enforcement firearms instructor, an avid tactical shooter and a training junkie.

When he’s not busy as an investigative reporter for the Herald-Tribune, he is usually shooting his AKs, XDs and CZs.